Composition and method for colouring hair

ABSTRACT

A composition and method oxidative colors hair based on at least one oxidative dye precursor and having effervescent properties. An aqueous oxidative hair dyeing composition resulting from mixing two aqueous compositions A and B wherein the mixed composition has a pH below or equal to 7.0, preferably is in the range of 2 to 7.0, more preferably 3 to 7. Composition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent and at least one acidic compound and has a pH between 2 and 5, and composition B comprises at least one oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one coupling agent, optionally at least one direct dye, at least one CO 2  releasing compound and has a pH between 8 and 11.

This application is a 371 application of PCT/EP2010/004323 filed Jul.15, 2010, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 ofEuropean Application No. 09009459.0 filed Jul. 22, 2009.

Present invention relates to a composition and method for oxidativecolouring hair based on at least one oxidative dye precursor and havingeffervescent properties.

Oxidative hair dyeing is a common practice and various forms have beendisclosed in the literature. It is usually carried out under alkalineconditions and therefore damages hair. Due to the damage, oxidativelycoloured hair is often weak does not have any strength and looses itsnatural volume. This is especially the case after multiple colourationand aggravated especially in case of fine hair.

On the other hand, oxidative colouring is usually carried out by mixingthe alkaline composition with a composition comprising oxidizing agentin a bowl and applying the resulting composition, usually emulsion, ontohair with the aid of a brush. Although this is commonly used techniqueand has become a kind of tradition, it is a time consuming technique andtherefore, there is a great need for new techniques which allow quickand effective application of oxidative hair dye compositions.

Furthermore, with the conventional oxidative dyeing product applicationrelatively large amount of colouring composition is needed in order tocover the whole hair homogeneously and effectively. Since the long timeis necessary, colouring composition starts to oxidize in bowl whereinthe two compositions are mixed and in order not to have negative effectof such pre-oxidation dyestuffs are comprised at higher amounts in theformulations.

The present invention starts from the above problems and providessolution. First of all, the present invention provides an oxidativecolouring composition which damages hair less than the conventionaloxidative dyeing compositions and also does leave hair in a well caredstatus so that hair has its natural and attractive appearance in termsof combability, natural elasticity, volume and exceptionally good shine.And secondly, the present invention provides a new technique for quickand effective application of the composition in a new form onto hairwhich has extended stability in the bowl after mixing and thereforeallows using oxidative dyes at a relatively lover concentration forachieving the same colouring intensity.

The inventor of the present invention have found out that an aqueousoxidative colouring composition resulting from mixing two aqueouscompositions A and B wherein the pH of the mixed composition has a pHbelow or equal to 7.0, preferably is in the range of 2 to 7.0, morepreferably 3 to 7 wherein composition A comprises at least of oxidizingagent and at least one acidic compound and has a pH between 2 and 5 andcomposition B comprises at least one oxidative dye precursor, optionallyat least one coupling substance and optionally at least one direct dyeand at least one CO₂ source and having a pH and between 8 and 11,colours hair effectively and leaves hair in well-cared so that hair hasits natural and attractive appearance.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have found out thatthe oxidative colouring composition is quickly and effectively appliedonto hair using brush and bowl, less composition required foreffectively covering whole hair on the head and the colouration mixtureobtained is stable for a relatively longer time.

Thus, the first objective of the present invention is an aqueousoxidative hair dyeing composition resulting from mixing two aqueouscompositions A and B wherein the mixed composition has a pH below orequal to 7.0, preferably is in the range of 2 to 7.0, more preferably 3to 7, wherein composition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent andat least one acidic compound and has a pH between 2 and 5 andcomposition B comprises at least one oxidative dye precursor, optionallyat least one coupling agent, optionally at least one direct dye, atleast one CO₂ releasing compound and has a pH between 8 and 11.

The second objective of the present invention is a method of colouringhair wherein two compositions A and B are mixed prior to applicationonto hair wherein the mixed composition has a pH below or equal to 7.0,preferably is in the range of 2 to 7.0, more preferably 3 to 7, whereincomposition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent and at least oneacidic compound and has a pH between 2 and 5 and composition B comprisesat least one oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one couplingagent, optionally at least one direct dye, at least one CO₂ releasingcompound and has a pH between 8 and 11, is applied onto hair, processedfor 1 to 45 min at a temperature in the range of 20 to 45° C. and rinsedoff from hair and hair is optionally shampooed and optionally dried,preferably with a hair drier.

Further objective of the present invention is the use of the compositionand the method for oxidative colouring hair.

Still further objective of the present invention is a kit for oxidativecolouring hair comprising

-   a—a composition A which is acidic, preferably having a pH between 2    and 5, comprising at least one oxidizing agent and at least one    acidic compound,-   b—a composition B which is an alkaline composition having a pH    between 8 and 11 and comprising one or more oxidative dye    precursors, optionally one or more coupling agents, optionally one    or more direct dye, and at least one CO₂ releasing compound.

Composition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent, preferably at aconcentration of at least 0.5% by weight calculated to total ofcomposition A, preferably between 1 and 12% and more preferably 1 and 9%and most preferably 2 and 6% and in particular 2 to 3% by weightcalculated to total of composition A.

In principal any oxidizing agent is suitable such as hydrogen peroxide,urea peroxide, melamine peroxide and perborate salts. The most preferredis hydrogen peroxide.

Composition A furthermore comprises at least one acidic compoundpreferably at a concentration above 1% by weight, preferably 1 to 25%,more preferably 1 to 20%, most preferably 1 to 15% and in particular 1to 10% by weight calculated to total of composition A.

Preferred suitable acidic compounds must be freely water soluble. Incase it is not dissolved in the composition A, it must be soluble whenthe composition A is mixed with composition B preferably in the courseof mixing, but may as well be dissolved during processing on hair.Suitable non-limiting examples are organic acids such as citric acid,tartaric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid,isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, pivalic acid, oxalicacid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, glyceric acid, adipicacid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, propiolicacid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, elaidic acid, malic acid, maleicacid and fumaric acid, as well as inorganic acids such as phosphoricacid and hydrochloric acid. Preferred are especially carboxylic acidssuch as citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, oxalicacid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and maleic acid. Mostpreferably the carboxylic acids are selected from citric acid, tartaricacid, lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, and maleic acid.

pH of the composition A is in the range of 2 to 5, preferably 2 to 4 andmore preferably 2 to 3.5.

Composition B comprises at least alkalizing agent preferably selectedfrom ammonia (including ammonium hydroxide) and a compound according togeneral formulaR₁R₂R₃Nwherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are same or different H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆monohydroxyalkyl or C₂-C₆ polyhydroxyalkyl with the condition that atleast one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is a mono or polyhydroxyalkyl.

Suitable alkanolamines according to the general formula above aremonoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethanolmethylamine, monoethanoldimethylamine, di-ethanol/methylamine,monoethanolethylamine, monoethanoldiethylamine, diethanolethylamine,monoethanolpropylamine, monoethanoldipropylamine, diethanolpropylamine,monoethanolbutylamine and diethanolbutylamine.

Preferred are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine. Themost preferred is monoethanolamine.

Concentration of the ammonia or the amine compound according to thegeneral formula above is depending on the alkalinity value targeted. Ingeneral it varies between 1 and 20%, preferably 1 and 15, morepreferably 1 and 12.5 and most preferably 1 to 10% by weight calculatedto the total of composition B.

Composition B comprises at least one CO₂ releasing compound. With theterm CO₂ releasing compound it is meant that a compound releases CO₂ inacidic medium and it is stable in alkaline medium. Suitable ones areammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, arginin carbonate, butylenecarbonate, calcium carbonate, guanidine carbonate, magnesium carbonate,calcium carbonate, lithium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassiumcarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Preferably at leastone CO₂ releasing compound is selected from ammonium bicarbonate,ammonium carbonate, guanidine carbonate, potassium bicarbonate,potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Morepreferred are ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, guanidinecarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.

Concentration of at least one CO₂ releasing compound in composition B isin the range of 0.1 and 20%, preferably 0.5 and 15% and more preferably1 and 10% and most preferably 1 and 5% by weight calculated to total ofcomposition B.

pH of the composition B is in the range of 8 and 11, preferably between8.5 and 10.5, more preferably between 9 and 10.5 and most preferablybetween 9.5 and 10.5.

Composition A and/or B can be in the form of solution, thickenedsolution, gel, and emulsion. Preferred are the thickened solution andemulsion forms. It should be noted that the mixture should preferablyhave a suitable consistency which allows application onto hair and nodrop offs from hair during processing time. Therefore, consistency ofthe mixed compositions A and B should be higher than or equal to 100mPa·s, preferably between 500 and 50,000 mPa·s and more preferablybetween 1,000 and 40,000 mPa·s measured at 20° C. with an appropriatemethod, preferably with a Brookfield viscosimeter. In order to reach thegiven viscosity one of the compositions must have the appropriateviscosity value n order to bring the mixture to the wished viscosity.

Accordingly, composition A and/or B comprises one or more thickeningagents suitable for thickening aqueous compositions. Any compound knownin the cosmetic industry as viscosity increasing agent is suitable forthe purpose with the condition that it should be suitable for highelectrolyte concentration especially when the two compositions And B aremixed to ready to use composition. Suitable non-limiting examples arenon-ionic cellulose derivatives such as hydroxylethyl cellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, guarand its derivatives such as hydroxypropyl guar, water soluble starch andits derivatives such as hydroxypropyl starch, chitosan derivativeshydroxyethyl chitosan and hydroxypropyl chitosan as well as cationicviscosity increasing agents may be used such as cationic cellulose andcationic guar derivatives.

Concentration range is dependent on the targeted viscosity value andtypically varies between 0.1 and 2.5%, preferably 0.25 and 2% by weightcalculated to total of composition A or B.

Composition A and/or B can be in the form of an emulsion which is themost preferred form of the present invention and comprise at least onefatty alcohol of the general formulaR₁₃—OHwherein R₁₃ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain with 12 to 22 C atoms.

Suitable fatty alcohols are myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearylalcohol and behenyl alcohol and their mixtures. Most preferred is themixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohol also known as cetearyl alcohol.

The concentration of one or more fatty alcohols is in the range of 0.5to 15%, preferably 1 to 12.5%, more preferably 2 to 10% and mostpreferably 5 to 10% by weight calculated to total of composition A or B.

Emulsion composition as well as any other composition comprises at leastone surfactant, especially in the case of emulsion acting as emulsifier,selected from non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, cationic and/orcationizable and quaternary ammonium surfactants preferably at aconcentration between 0.1 and 20%, preferably 0.25 and 15%, morepreferably 0.5 and 10% and most preferably 1 and 7.5% by weightcalculated to total of composition A or B.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides of the generalformulaR₄—O—(R₅O)_(n)O—Z_(x)wherein R₄ is an alkyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R₅ is anethylene or propylene group, Z is a saccharide group with 5 to 6 carbonatoms, n is a number from 0 to 10 and x is a number between 1 and 5.Examples are decyl glucoside, carpylyl glucoside, ceteary glucoside,cocoyl ethyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, myristyl glucoside and cocoglucoside. Preferred are decyl glucoside and coco glucoside which arecommercially available with the trade name Plantacare from the companyCognis.

Further non-ionic surfactants suitable are long-chain fatty acid mono-and dialkanolamides according to the general structure

wherein R₆ is an alkyl chain which may be saturated or unsaturated,straight or branched, substituted or unsubstituted with a length of 8 to22 C atoms, preferably 10 to 18 and more preferably 12 to 18 C atoms, R₇and R₈ are same or different H, C₁ to C₄ alkyl or hydroxyl alkyl,preferably C₂ hydroxy alkyl with the condition that at least one of theR₇ and R₈ is not H.

Suitable non-limiting examples are behenoyl monoethanolamide, cocomonoethanolamide, isostearoyl monoethanolamide, lauroylmonoethanolamide, myristoyl monoethanolamide, oleoyl monoethanolamide,ricinoleoyl monoethanolamide, stearoyl monoethanolamide, behenoyldiethanolamide, caproyl diethanolamide, cocoyl diethanolamide,isostearoyl diethanolamide, lauroyl diethanolamide, lineloylmonoethanolamide, myristoyl monoethanolamide, oleoyl monoethanolamide,palmitoyl diethanolamide, ricinoleoyl monoethanolamide and stearoylmonoethanolamide,

Further additionally useful non-ionic surfactants are, for example, thevarious sorbitan esters, such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan stearicacid ester, fatty acid polyglycol esters or poly-condensates ofethyleneoxide and propyleneoxide, as they are on the market, forexample, under the trade name “Pluronics^(R)”.

Another type of nonionic surfactants are C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcoholethoxylates. Especially suited are C₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohol ethers with theaverage degree of ethoxylation between 1 and 50, preferably 5 and 50,more preferably 10 to 50. Suitable examples are oleth-2, oleth-3,oleth-4, oleth-5, oleth-6, oleth-7, oleth-8, oleth-9, oleth-10,oleth-11, oleth-12, oleth-15, oleth-16, oleth-20, oleth-25, oleth-30,oleth-35, oleth-40, oleth-44, oleth-50, laureth-2, laureth-3, laureth-4,laureth-5, laureth-6, laureth-7, laureth-8, laureth-9, laureth-10,laureth-11, laureth-12, laureth-13, laureth-15, laureth-16, laureth-20,laureth-25, laureth-30, laureth-38, laureth-40, laureth-50, ceteth-10,ceteth-12, ceteth-14, ceteth-15, ceteth-16, ceteth-17, ceteth-20,ceteth-25, ceteth-30, ceteth-40, ceteth-45, cetoleth-10, cetoleth-12,cetoleth-14, cetoleth-15, cetoleth-16, cetoleth-17, cetoleth-20,cetoleth-25, ceteareth-10, ceteareth-12, ceteareth-14, ceteareth-15,ceteareth-16, ceteareth-18, ceteareth-20, ceteareth-22, ceteareth-25,ceteareth-27, ceteareth-28, ceteareth-29, ceteareth-30, ceteareth-33,ceteareth-34, ceteareth-40, ceteareth-50, isosteareth-10,isosteareth-12, isosteareth-15, isosteareth-20, isosteareth-22,isosteareth-25, isosteareth-50, steareth-10, steareth-11, steareth-14,steareth-15, steareth-16, steareth-20, steareth-25, steareth-27steareth-30, steareth-40, steareth-50, beheneth-2, beheneth-5,beheneth-10, beheneth-15, beheneth-20, beheneth-25, and beheneth-30.

Further suitable and preferred non-ionic surfactants are glyceryl fattyacid esters according to the general formula

wherein R₉ and R₁₀ are same or different H, or a fatty acid group whichmay be saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight, substituted orunsubstituted with a C number between 10 and 22 with the condition atleast one of the R₉ and R₁₀ is a fatty acyl group. The esters accordingthe above general structure has preferably C number between 12 and 18and more preferably 14 and 18. In particular glyceryl steric acid estersare preferred.

Most preferred glyceryl fatty acid esters are glyceryl stearate andglyceryl distearate.

Further non-ionic surfactants within the meaning of the presentinvention are polyalkyleneglycol ether of fatty acid glyceride orpartial glyceride with at least 20 polyalkylene units, especially with20 to 150, more preferably 20 to 100, most preferably 30 to 75polyethyleneglycol units. Examples to those are PEG-30 hydrogenatedcastor oil, PEG-35 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castoroil, PEG-45 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil,PEG-55 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-65hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-80 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-100hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-200 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-35 castoroil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-55 castor oil, PEG-60 castor oil, PEG-80castor oil, PEG-100 castor oil. Additional examples of similar compoundscan be found in the cosmetic ingredient dictionaries and cosmetictextbooks.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants within the meaning of presentinvention are glycol fatty acid esters according to the generalstructure

wherein R₁₁ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl with a 9 to 21 C atoms and R₁₂ is Hor a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight, substituted orunsubstituted acyl with 10 to 22 C atoms.

Suitable non-limiting examples are glycol cetearate, glycol dibehenate,glycol dilaurate, glycol dioleate, glycol stearate, glycol distearate,glycol oleate, glycol palmitate, glycol ricinoleate, and glycol stearateSE. Most preferred are glycol stearate SE, glycol stearate and glycoldistearate.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants are ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated silicone surfactants. Non-limiting suitable examples arePEG/PPG 3/10 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 4/12 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 6/4dimethicone, PEG/PPG 6/11-dimethicone, PEG/PPG 8/14 dimethicone, PEG/PPG8/26 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 12/16 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 12/18 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 15/15 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 17/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 18/12dimethicone, PEG/PPG 18/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 19/19 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 15/20 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/20 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/23dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 22/23 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 22/24 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 25/25 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 27/27dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone and PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone.

Among the non-ionic surfactants mentioned above alkyl polyglucosides andethoxylated fatty alcohols are the most preferred ones.

Nonlimiting suitable examples of anionic surfactants are the sulfate,sulfonate, carboxylate and alkyl phosphate type, especially, of course,those customarily used C₁₀-C₁₈-alkyl sulfates, and in particular therespective ether sulfates, for example, C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl ether sulfate,lauryl ether sulfate, especially with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide groups inthe molecule, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide sulfatesobtained by ethoxylation and subsequent sulfatation of fatty acidalkanolamides, and the alkali salts thereof, as well as the salts oflong-chain mono- and dialkyl phosphates and their salts.

Particular reference is made to the fatty alcohol ether sulfates of thegeneral structureR₁₄(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OSO₃MWherein R₁₄ is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain with 10 to 18 C atoms, n isfrom 1 to 5 and M is a cation, preferably ammonium, sodium or potassium.

Suitable examples are ammonium capryleth sulphate, ammonium C12-15pareth sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate, ammonium laureth-5 sulphate,ammonium myreth sulphate, DEA C12-13 pareth-3 sulphate, DEA laurethsulphate, DEA myreth sulphate, diethylamine laureth sulphate, magnesiumcoceth sulphate, magnesium laureth sulphate, magnesium laureth-5sulphate, magnesium myreth sulphate, magnesium oleth sulphate, MEAlaureth sulphate, MIPA C12-15 pareth sulphate, MIPA laureth sulphate,sodium coceth sulphate, sodium C9-15 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C10-15pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C12-16 pareth-2 sulphate, sodium C12-13 parethsulphate, sodium C12-14 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C12-15 parethsulphate, sodium C12-15 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C13-15 pareth-3sulphate, sodium doceth sulphate, sodium laneth sulphate, sodium laurethsulphate, sodium laureth-5 sulphate, sodium myreth sulphate, sodiumoleth sulphate, TEA laureth sulphate, TEA laneth sulphate and TIPAlaureth sulphate.

Further anionic surfactants of the carboxylate type are alkyl polyethercarboxylic acids and the salts thereof of the formulaR₁₅—(C₂H₄O)_(n)—O—CH₂COOX,wherein R₁₅ is a C₈-C₂₀-alkyl group, preferably a C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl group, nis a number from 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 17, and X is H or preferably acation of the group sodium, potassium, magnesium and ammonium, which canoptionally be hydroxyalkyl-substituted, as well as alkyl amido polyethercarboxylic acids of the general formula

wherein R₁₅ and X have the above meanings, and n is in particular anumber from 1 to 10, preferably 2.5 to 5.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are also C₈-C₂₂-acylaminocarboxylic acids or the water-soluble salts thereof. Suitable onesare N-lauroyl glutamate, in particular as sodium salt, as well as, forexample, N-lauroyl sarcosinate, N—C₁₂-C₁₈-acyl asparaginic acid,N-myristoyl sarcosinate, N-oleoyl sarcosinate, N-lauroyl methylalanine,N-lauroyl lysine and N-lauroyl aminopropyl glycine, preferably in formof the water-soluble alkali or ammonium, in particular the sodium saltsthereof, preferably in admixture with the above-named anionicsurfactants.

Among the anionic surfactants most preferred are alkyl sulfates and/oralkyl ether sulfates and among them sodium lauryl or laureth sulfatesand their mixtures are most preferred.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants are in particular the various knownbetaines such as alkyl betaines, fatty acid amidoalkyl betaines andsulfobetaines, for example, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine; long-chain alkylamino acids, such as cocoaminoacetate, cocoaminopropionate and sodiumcocoamphopropionate and -acetate have also proven suitable.

In detail, it is possible to use betaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ is a C₈-C₁₈-alkyl group and n is 1 to 3;sulfobetaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ and n are same as above;and amidoalkyl betaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ and n are same as above.

Suitable nonlimiting examples are almondamidopropyl betaine,apricotamidopropyl betaine, avocadoamidopropyl betaine,babasuamidopropyl betaine, behenamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylbetaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, myristylamidopropyl betaine,oleamidopropyl betaine, olivamidopropyl betaine, palmamidopropylbetaine, palmitamidopropyl betaine, ricinoleamidopropyl betaine,sesamamidopropyl betaine, soyamidopropyl betaine, stearamidopropylbetaine, behenyl betaine, cetyl betaine, myristyl betaine, laurylbetaine, coco betaine, decyl betaine, oeyl betaine, stearyl betaine,tallow betaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, coco hydroxysultaine,coco sultaine, lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl hydroxysultaine,myristamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine andlauryl sultaine.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants are of betaine types such as cocobetaine and cocoylamidpropyl betaine.

Suitable cationic and/or cationizable surfactants are with the generalformulaR₁₇-A-R₁₈—Bwherein R₁₇ is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkylgroup with 8 to 24 C atoms, R₁₈ is a straight or branched alkyl groupwith 1 to 4 C atoms, A is a group selected from O,

and B is selected from

wherein R₁₉ and R₂₀ are the same or different is H or an alkyl with 1 to4 C atoms, hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4 C atoms and dihydroxyl alkyl with2 to 4 C atoms,

R₂₁, and R₂₂ are the same or different, an alkyl with 1 to 4 C atoms,hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4 C atoms and dihydroxyl alkyl with 2 to 4 Catoms, R₂₃ is an alkyl with 1 to 4 C atoms, hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4 Catoms or dihydroxyl alkyl with 2 to 4 C atoms and—R₁₈-A-R₁₇wherein R₁₇, A and R₁₈ have the above meaning and X is chloride,bromide, methosulfate,ora quaternary ammonium surfactant according to the general formula

where R₂₄ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 8-24 C atoms and R₂₅ is unsaturated or saturated, branched ornon-branched alkyl chain with 1-24 C atoms and R₂₆ and R₂₇ are loweralkyl chain with 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted with oneor more hydroxyl groups, and X is anion such as chloride, bromide,methosulfate.

Non-limiting suitable examples are stearyloxypropyl amine,palmityloxypropyl amine, stearyloxypropyldimethyl amine,stearyloxypropyldiethyl amine, stearyloxyethylyldimethyl amine,stearyloxyethyl amine, myristyloxypropyl amine,myristyloxypropyldimethyl amine, palmitamidopropyl amine,palmitamidopropyl methylamine, palmitamidopropyl diethylamine,palmitamidopropyl dibutylamine, palmitamidopropyl buylamine,palmitamidopropyl dipropylamine, palmitamidopropyl propylamine,palmitamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, palmitamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,palmitamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, lauramidopropyl amine,lauramidopropyl methylamine, lauramidopropyl diethylamine,lauramidopropyl dibutylamine, lauramidopropyl buylamine, lauramidopropyldipropylamine, lauramidopropyl propylamine, lauramidopropyldihydroxyethylamine, lauramidopropyl hydroxyethylamine, lauramidopropyldihydroxypropylamine, lauramidopropyl hydroxypropylamine,stearamidopropyl amine, stearamidopropyl methylamine, stearamidopropyldiethylamine, stearamidopropyl dibutylamine, stearamidopropylbutylamine, stearamidopropyl dipropylamine, behenamidopropylpropylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,behenamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, behenamidopropyl amine,behenamidopropyl methylamine, behenamidopropyl diethylamine,behenamidopropyl dibutylamine, behenamidopropyl butylamine,behenamidopropyl dipropylamine, behenamidopropyl propylamine,behenamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,behenamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl methylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl ethylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl butylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl propylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl hydroxyethylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, dilauramidopropyl amine,dilauramidopropyl methylamine, dilauramidopropyl buylamine,dilauramidopropyl hydroxyethylamine, dilauramidopropylhydroxypropylamine, distearamidopropyl amine, distearamidopropylmethylamine, dibehenamidopropyl propylamine, dibehenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, palmitoamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, behenamidopropyl trihydroxyethalmonium chloride, distearylamidopropyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, dicetylamidodihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, palmitoylpropylamine, palmitoylpropyl methylamine, palmitoylpropyl diethylamine,palmitoylpropyl dibutylamine, palmitoylpropyl buylamine, palmitoylpropyldipropylamine, palmitoylpropyl propylamine, palmitoylpropyldihydroxyethylamine, palmitoylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, palmitoylpropyldihydroxypropylamine, palmitoylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,myristoylpropyl amine, myristoylpropyl methylamine, myristoylpropyldiethylamine, myristoylpropyl dibutylamine, myristoylpropyl buylamine,myristoylpropyl dipropylamine, myristoylpropyl propylamine,myristoylpropyl dihydroxyethylamine, myristoylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,myristoylpropyl dihydroxypropylamine, myristoylpropylhydroxypropylamine, stearoylpropyl amine, stearoylpropyl methylamine,stearoylpropyl diethylamine, stearoylpropyl dibutylamine, stearoylpropylbutylamine, stearoylpropyl dipropylamine, behenylpropyl propylamine,behenylpropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,behenylpropyl dihydroxypropylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,behenylpropyl amine, behenylpropyl methylamine, behenylpropyldiethylamine, behenylpropyl dibutylamine, behenylpropyl butylamine,behenylpropyl dipropylamine, behenylpropyl propylamine, behenylpropyldihydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyldihydroxypropylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,dipalmitoylpropyl methylamine, dipalmitoylpropyl ethylamine,dipalmitylpropyl butylamine, dipalmitylpropyl propylamine,dipalmitylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, dipalmitylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,dilauroylpropyl amine, dilauroylpropyl methylamine, dilauroylpropylbuylamine, dilauroylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, dilauroylpropylhydroxypropylamine, distearylpropyl amine, distearylpropyl methylamine,dibehenylpropyl propylamine, dibehenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,palmitylpropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearylpropyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenylpropyl tri hydroxyethalmoniumchloride, distearylpropyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dicetyldihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, dioleoylethylhydroxyethylmoniummethosulfate, dicocoylethylhydroxyethylmonium methosulfate,cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride,behentrimonium chloride, myristyltrimethyl ammonium chloride,distearyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and dibehenyldimethyl ammoniumchloride.

In a particularly preferred form of the present invention, composition Aand/or B comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant and at least oneanionic surfactant

The compositions A and/or B further comprise hair-conditioning agents.Conditioning agents are selected from oily substances, non-ionicsubstances, cationic amphiphilic ingredients, cationic polymers or theirmixtures. Cationic amphiphilic compounds are the cationic and/orcationizable surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds mentionedabove.

Oily substances are selected from such as silicone oils, either volatileor non-volatile, natural and synthetic oils. Among silicone oils thosecan be added to the compositions include dimethicone, dimethiconol,polydimethylsiloxane, DC fluid ranges from Dow Corning, as well asaminated silicones such as amodimethicone, aminopropyl phenyltrimethicone; arylated silicones with one to 5 phenyl groups in itsmolecule such as trimethylpentaphenyl trisiloxane, phenyl trimethicone,triphenly trimethicone and cyclic siloxanes such as cyclomethicone,cyclotrisiloxane, cyclopentasilioxane, cycloheptasiloxane andcyclotrisiloxane. Natural oils such as olive oil, almond oil, avocadooil, wheatgerm oil and ricinus oil may be included as conditioningagents in the composition B.

Synthetic oils may be included in composition B as conditioning agentsuch as mineral oil, alkyl esters of fatty acids such as isopropylmyristate, palmitate, stearate and isostearate, oeyl oleate, isocetylstearate, hexyl laurate, dibutyl adipate, dioctyl-adipate, myristylmyristate and oeyl erucate.

Further conditioning agents may be polyols such as glycerin, glycol andderivatives, polyethyleneglycoles known with trade names Carbowax PEGfrom Union Carbide and Polyox WSR range from Amerchol, polyglycerin,polyethyleneglycol mono or di fatty acid esters having general formulaR₂₈ CO (O CH₂ CH₂)_(n) OH orR₂₈ CO (O CH₂ CH₂)_(n)O OC R₂₉where R₂₈ and R₂₉ are independent from each other saturated, unsaturatedor branched or non-branched alkyl chain with 7 to 21 C atoms and n istypically 2-100.

Additionally compositions A and/or B comprise one or more cationicpolymers as conditioning agents. Suitable cationic polymers are those ofknown with their CTFA category name Polyquaternium. Typical examples ofthose Polyquaternium 6, Polyquaternium 7, Polyquaternium 10,Polyquaternium 11, Polyquaternium 16, Polyquaternium 28, Polyquaternium70, Polyquaternium 67, and Polyquaternium 87.

Preferred are Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium 10,which is a cationically derivatised cellulose compound, and cationicguar gum derivatives.

The cationic polymers also include the quaternized products of graftpolymers from organopolysiloxanes and polyethyl oxazolines described inEP-A 524 612 and EP-A 640 643.

Additionally, composition A and/or B comprises at least one amphotericpolymer. Non-limiting suitable and preferred examples arePolyquaterinium-22, Polyquaterinium-35, Polyquaterinium-39,Polyquaterinium-30 and Polyquaterinium-45. The more preferred arePolyquaterinium-39 and Polyquaterinium-22 and the most preferred isPoyquaternium-22.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention,composition A and/or B comprise at least one cationic polymer, at leastone amphoteric polymer and at least one silicone compound as theconditioning agents.

Conditioning compounds are comprised in compositions A and/or B at aconcentration of 0.01 to 5%, preferably 0.05 to 3.5% more preferably 0.1to 2.5% by weight calculated to the total of composition A or B.

The composition A and/or B according to the invention may also comprisefurther conditioning substances such as protein hydrolyzates andpolypeptides, e.g., keratin hydrolyzates, collagen hydrolyzates of thetype “Nutrilan^(R)” or elastin hydrolyzates, as well as also inparticular plant protein hydrolyzates, optionally, cationized proteinhydrolyzates, e.g., “Gluadin^(R)”.

Additional natural plant extracts can as well form part of thecompositions A and/or B of the present invention. Those are incorporatedusually in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably 0.05% to7.5%, in particular 0.1% to 5% by weight, calculated as dry residuethereof to the total of composition A or B. Suitable aqueous (e.g.steam-distilled) alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic plant extracts known perse are in particular extracts from leaves, fruits, blossoms, roots,rinds or stems of aloe, pineapple, artichoke, arnica, avocado, valerian,bamboo, green tea, blue lotus flower, henbane, birch, stinging nettle,echinacea, ivy, wild angelica, gentian, ferns, pine needles, silverweed, ginseng, broom, oat, rose hip, hamamelis, hay flowers, elderberry,hop, coltsfoot, currants, chamomile, carrots, chestnuts, clover, burrroot, cocoanut, cornflower, lime blossom, lily of the valley, marinealgae, balm, mistletoe, passion flower, ratanhia, marigold, rosemary,horse chestnut, pink hawthorn, sage, horsetail, yarrow, primrose,nettle, thyme, walnut, wine leaves, white hawthorn, etc.

Suitable trade products are, for example, the various “Extrapone”products and “Herbasol^(R)”. Extracts and the preparation thereof arealso described in “Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis”, 4^(th)Ed.

The compositions A and/or B can comprise one or more organic solventssuch as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol,benzyloxyethanol, alkylene carbonates such as ethylene carbonate andpropylene carbonate, phenoxyethanol, butanol, isobutanol, cyclohexane,cyclohexanol, hexyleneglycol, ethylenecarbonate, ethyleneglycolmonoethylether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycolmonophenyl ether, 1-phenylethylalcohol, 2-phenylethylalcohol, propyleneglycol, o-methoxyphenol. Concentration of organic solvent can be in therange of 0.1 to 25%, preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight, calculated tototal of composition A or B.

Composition B of the present invention can comprise UV filters forprotection of hair from environmental influences such as loss ofelasticity, loss of hair colour (bleaching effect of sun light). TheUV-absorbing substance is preferably selected from the followingcompounds: 4-Aminobenzoic acid and the esters and salts thereof,2-phenyl benzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and the alkali and amine saltsthereof, 4-dimethyl aminobenzoic acid and the esters and salts thereof,cinnamic acid and the esters and salts thereof, 4-methoxycinnamic acidand the esters and salts thereof, salicylic acid and the esters andsalts thereof, 2.4-dihydroxybenzophenone,2.2′.4.4′-tetrahydroxy-benzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone andits 5-sulfonic acid or the sodium salt thereof,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzophenone, 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,2.2′-dihydroxy-4.4′-dimethoxy-5.5′-disulfobenzo-phenone or the sodiumsalt thereof, 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-methyl benzophenone, 3-benzyl-idenecampher,3-(4′-sulfo)-benzyl-idenebornane-2-one and the salts thereof and/or3-(4′-methyl benzylidene)-DL-campher, polysilicone-15. The preferredamount of the UV-absorber ranges from about 0.01% to 2.5%, morepreferably from 0.05% to 1% by weight, calculated to the totalcomposition.

One or more oxidative dye precursors is (are) comprised in compositionB. In principal any oxidative dye precursor is suitable. Non-limitingsuitable oxidative dyestuffs precursors are tetraminopyrimidines, inparticular 2,4,5,6-tetraminopyrimidine and the lower alkyl derivativesthereof; suitable triaminohydroxypyrimidines are, for example4-hydroxy-2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine, 2-hydroxy-4,5,6-triaminopyrimidineand 5-hydroxy-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine; suitable mono- and diaminodihydroxypyrimidines are, for example,2,6-dihydroxy-4,5-diaminopyrimidine, 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine or4,6-dihydroxy-2,5-diaminopyrimidine or the water-soluble salts thereof,aminophenol derivatives such as 4-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol,2-chloro-4-aminophenol, 2,6-dichloro-4-aminophenol, 2,4-diamino-phenol,2,6-dibromo-4-aminophenol and/or 2-aminophenol and water-soluble saltsthereof, furthermore, phenylenedimanine derivatives such as2,5-diamino-toluene, 2-n-propyl or 2-ethyl-p-phenylene-diamine,2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethanol,1-amino-4-bis-(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)aminobenzene, 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-5-aminotoluene, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine,2-amino-5-N,N-diethyl aminotoluene, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-isopropyl aniline,2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine,1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-chlorobenzene,1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene,2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine,1-amino-4-β-methoxyethyl aminobenzene, 1-dimethyl-amino-4-aminobenzene,1-hydroxy-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene,1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,3-dimethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene,1,4-diamino isopropyl benzene and/or 1-amino-4-β-hydroxypropylaminobenzene or the water-soluble salts thereof, pyrazole derivativessuch as 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,3,4-diamino-5-hydroxypyrazole, 3,5-diaminopyrazole, 3,5-diaminopyrazol-1-carboxamide, 3-amino-5-hydroxypyrazole,1-phenyl-2-methylpyrazole, 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole-5-one,3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methanol,1-methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, 1-methylethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-phenylmethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, 1-methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-(4-methylphenyl)methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-methyl-3-phenyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole and the water-soluble salts. Theuse of the above mentioned oxidative dye precursors as mixture is alsocustomary in hair coloring area.

The total concentration of the oxidation dyestuff precursors and/ortheir water soluble salts if required may vary between 0.0001% and 10%,preferably 0.001% and 7.5%, in particular 0.001% to 5% by weight,calculated to the total of composition B.

The composition B may as well comprise in addition to the oxidative dyeprecursors at least one coupling substance, which can be selected fromresorcinol, 2-methyl resorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol,2-amino-4-chlorophenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol,3-amino-phenol, 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-aminobenzene, 3-N,N-dimethylaminophenol, 2.6-dihydroxy-3.5-dimethoxypyridine,5-amino-3-methylphenol, 6-amino-3-methylphenol,3-amino-2-methylamino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-pyridine,2-dimethyl-amino-5-aminopyridine, 2,6-diaminopyridine,1,3-diamino-benzene, 1-amino-3-(2′-hy-droxyethylamino)benzene,1-amino-3-[bis(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)amino]benzene, α-naphthol,4,6-dichlororesorcinol, 1,3-diamino-toluene, 1-hydroxy naphthalene,4-hydroxy-1,2-methylenedioxy benzene, 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene,1,6-dihydroxy naphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxy naphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl naphthalene, 4-hydroxy-1.2-methyldioxybenzene, 2,4-diamino-3-chlorophenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol and/or1-methoxy-2-amino-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl amino)benzene or the water-solublesalts thereof. However, this shall not exclude the addition of furtherdeveloping and coupling substances. In case oxidative dye precursors areused, preferably composition B comprises additionally at least onecoupling agent.

The concentration of coupling substances is customarily adjusted to theconcentration of developing, oxidative dye precursor, substances.

The composition B can further comprise additionally direct dyes ofneutral, cationic and anionic character. Some examples to suitablecationic dyes are Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, BasicBrown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12Basic Red 22, Basic Red 51, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14 and Basic Yellow 57.According to the invention, suitable cationic dyestuffs are in principalthose any available on the market for cosmetic hair colouringapplications. For this purpose, special reference is made to the PCTapplication WO 95/15144 of Ciba-Geigy AG. The content of the PCTapplication WO 95/15144 is by reference incorporated here.

Examples to suitable direct acting anionic dyes are Acid Black 1, AcidBlue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, AcidRed 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52,Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, AcidRed 180, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1,Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, Food Yellow No. 8, D&C Brown No. 1, D&CGreen No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&COrange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 33, D&CViolet 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&CRed 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue 1, FoodBlack 1, Food Black 2, Disperse Black 9 and Disperse Violet 1 and theiralkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium.

Some examples to those suitable neutral dyes (HC dyes), so called nitrodyes, are HC Blue No. 2, HC Blue No. 4, HC Blue No. 5, HC Blue No. 6, HCBlue No. 7, HC Blue No. 8, HC Blue No. 9, HC Blue No. 10, HC Blue No.11, HC Blue No. 12, HC Blue No. 13, HC Brown No. 1, HC Brown No. 2, HCGreen No. 1, HC Orange No. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HCOrange No. 5, HC Red BN, HC Red No. 1, HC Red No. 3, HC Red No. 7, HCRed No. 8, HC Red No. 9, HC Red No. 10, HC Red No. 11, HC Red No. 13, HCRed No. 54, HC Red No. 14, HC Violet BS, HC Violet No. 1, HC Violet No.2, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 5, HC Yellow No. 6,HC Yellow No. 7, HC Yellow No. 8, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Yellow No. 10, HCYellow No. 11, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Yellow No. 13, HC Yellow No. 14, HCYellow No. 15, 2-Amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picramic acid,1,2-Diamino-4-nitrobenzol, 1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzol,3-Nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-Hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzol and2-hydroxyethylpicramic acid.

The total concentration of the direct dyes and/or their water solublesalts is between 0.0001% and 5%, preferably 0.001% and 3.5%, inparticular 0.001% to 2.5% by weight, calculated to the total ofcomposition B.

The compositions A and/or B may further comprise an organopolysiloxanewherein at least one silicon atom is linked to an alkylene group havinga hetero-atom, in particular a nitrogen atom, with a poly-(N-acylalkyleneimine) units of the formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 5 and R₃₀ is hydrogen, a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl orcycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group.

Preferred organopolysiloxane polymers are those of the type disclosed inEP-A 640 643, in particular optionally quaternized aminoalkyl, inparticular aminopropyl dimethyl polysiloxane/polyethyl oxazolinecopolymers of the formula

wherein m and n each are numbers from 20 to 10,000, in particular 50 to7,000, especially 100 to 5,000, x is a number between 1 and 5,preferably 3, and y is a number from 5 to 30, R₃₁ is a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl oraryl group, in particular a methyl, ethyl or benzyl group, and Y⁻ is ananion.

Especially suited are the organopolysiloxanes disclosed under the termsA-1, A-2 and A-3 on pages 12 to 13 of EP-A 640 643. The proportion ofgraft copolymers in the hair colouring compositions according to theinvention ranges from 0.05% to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 2.5%, inparticular 0.5% to 1.5% by weight, calculated to the total ofcomposition A or B.

Another compound that may be comprised in compositions A and/or B is aceramide type of compounds according to the general formula

wherein R₃₂ and R₃₃ are independent from each other alkyl- or alkenylgroup with 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R₃₄ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl orisopropyl group and n is a number between 1 to 6, preferably 2 or 3. Theconcentration of the ceramide type of compound in colouring compositionsof the present invention can be in the range of 0.01 to 2 and especially0.01 to 1% by weight calculated to the total of compositions A or B.

Preferred ceramide compound is cetyl-PG-hydroxyethylpalmitamide.

Sterols, especially the phytosterols, may as well be comprised inCompositions A and/or B. Suitable ones are especially of plant originfor example ergosterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, fucosterol,brassicasterol, fungisterol, campesterol, zymosterol, ascosterol,cerevisterol, episterol, faecosterol, spinasterol.

The concentration of ceramide may be in the range of 0.01 to 2% andphytosterol may be comprised in the range of 0.01 to 0.5% by weightcalculated to the total of composition A or B.

Composition A and/or B may comprise at least one fatty acid soap. Inprincipal any fatty acid soap is suitable, however, preferred fatty acidsoaps are sodium and potassium soaps. The fatty acid may be saturated orunsaturated, branched or straight and substituted or unsubstituted.Non-limiting suitable examples are soaps and especially sodium and/orpotassium soaps of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid,palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenicacid, behenic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, isostearicacid and ricinoleic acid as well as the ones obtained from native oilssuch as olive acid, corn acid, palm acid, rapeseed acid etc. Preferredare soaps of myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearicacid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and ricinoleic acid and especiallysodium and/or potassium soaps. More preferred are soaps of palmitoleicacid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and ricinoleic acid and the mostpreferred are soaps of oleic and linoleic acids.

Concentration of fatty acid soap varies between 0.1 and 20% preferably0.2 and 15, more preferably 2 and 12.5 and most preferably 5 to 10% byweight calculated to the total of composition A or B.

The compositions A and/or B may further comprise one or more ubiquinoneof the formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 10. The concentration of ubichinones inthe compositions of the present invention can vary between 0.001% and10% by weight, calculated to the total of composition A or B.

The composition B of the present invention may comprise compounds foraccelerating (catalysts) the oxidative dyeing keratin fibers such asiodine salts i.e. potassium or sodium iodide and/or dihydroxy acetone.

Further compositions A and/or B can comprise yogurt powder at aconcentration of 0.01 to 5% by weight calculated to total of thecompositions A or B, which is a raw material prepared by spray drying ofnatural yoghurt after completion of fermentation. Yogurt powdercomprises the following major components:

-   -   approximately 53.5% lactose,    -   approximately 25% proteins,    -   approximately 7.5% lactic acid,    -   approximately 5% minerals and trace elements,    -   approximately 1% vitamines, and    -   approximately 2% lipids.

Composition A and/or B may comprise at least one diamide compound.Preferred diamide compounds are according to the general structure

wherein R₃₅ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylchain with 1 to 12 C atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy and/oralkoxy groups, preferably R₃₅ is linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 12 C atoms which may be substituted by1 to 3 substituents selected from a hydroxy group and C1 to C6 alkoxygroup, more preferably R₃₅ is a unsubstituted alkyl group with 1 to 12 Catoms, and alkyl group with 2 to 12 C atoms substituted by one or twohydroxyl groups, by one alkoxy group with 1 to 6 C atoms or by onehydroxyl and one alkoxy group with 2 to 6 C atoms, R₃₆ is linear orbranched alkyl chain with 1 to 5 C atoms, preferably linear or branchedalkyl chain with 2 to 5 C atoms and more preferably an alkyl chain with2 to 3 C atoms, and R₃₇ linear or branched, saturated or unsaturatedalkyl chain with 1 to 22 C atoms, preferably linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain with 11 to 22 C atoms.

Preferred individual diamide compounds are the ones according to theformula A to G.

Particularly preferred diamide compound is the compound F which is bis(methoxypropylamido) isodocosane and commercially available from KaoCorporation-Japan.

Concentration of diamide compounds in the compositions A and/or B of thepresent invention is in the range of 0.001 to 5%, preferably 0.002 to 3%more preferably 0.005 to 2% and most preferably 0.01 to 1% by weightcalculated to total of the compositions A or B.

Compositions A and/or B may further comprise particulate matter such assynthetic mica. Use of synthetic mica coated with metal oxide or oxidesmainly in decorative cosmetics is disclosed in an international patentapplication of Sun Chemical Corporation published with a number WO2005/065632 A1. In the document synthetic mica and coated synthetic micawith at least one metal oxide or oxides is disclosed in detail, thecontent of the document is included herewith by reference.

Suitable metal oxide or oxides for coating synthetic mica are titaniumdioxide, chromium oxide, ferric oxide or mixtures thereof. In thepresent invention the preferred is synthetic mica coated with titaniumdioxide. Such materials are commercially available from Sun ChemicalCorporation and are known with their INCI names SyntheticFluorphologopite.

The particle size distribution of synthetic mica coated with a metaloxide or oxides is in the range of 1 to 750 μm, preferably 1 to 250 μm,more preferably 1 to 100 μm and most preferably 20 to 95 μm. Theparticle sizes referred are relating to the volume particle sizedistribution meaning that particles found in the coated synthetic micahaving volume particle size in the given ranges.

Concentration of synthetic mica coated with at least metal oxide oroxides is from 0.001 to 10%, preferably 0.05 to 7.5%, more preferably0.1 to 5% and most preferably 0.25 to 2.5% by weight calculated to totalof the compositions A or B.

Composition B may further comprise one or more dipeptide. Non-limitingexamples to the suitable dipeptides are the ones commercially availableand known with their INCI name as Dipeptide-1, Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-3,Dipeptide-4, Dipeptide-5, Dipeptide-6, Dipeptide-7, Dipeptide-8, andcarnosine. The most preferred is carnosine and is containing β-alaninand L-histidine.

Concentration of at least one dipeptide is in the range of 0.01 to 5%,preferably 0.05 to 3% and more preferably 0.1 to 2.5% and mostpreferably 0.2 to 1.5% by weight calculated to the total of thecompositions A or B.

Composition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent, preferably at aconcentration of at least 0.5% by weight calculated to total ofcomposition A, preferably between 1 and 12% and more preferably 1 and 9%and most preferably 2 and 6% and in particular 2 to 3% by weightcalculated to total of composition A.

In principal any oxidizing agent is suitable such as hydrogen peroxide,urea peroxide, melamine peroxide and perborate salts. The most preferredis hydrogen peroxide.

Compositions A and B are mixed at a weight ratio of Composition A toComposition B in the range between 5:1 to 1:5, preferably between 3:1 to1:3, more preferably between 2:1 to 1:2, and most preferably between 2:1to 1:1. pH of the composition thus obtained and ready to use is in therange between 5 and 12, preferably between 6 and 11, more preferablybetween 6.5 and 11 most preferably between 8 and 10.5.

Compositions A and/or B comprises additionally at least one inorganicsalt at a concentration of 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.1 and 10%, morepreferably 0.5 to 7.5 and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight calculatedto total or composition A or B.

It has been found out that the viscosity of the mixed composition playsan important factor in carrying out the process in a short period oftime because the mixed composition is applied onto hair from a vesseldelivering its content in the form of foam. In order to have easy andquick application and in order to secure homogeneous effect, thecomposition resulting from mixing the two compositions, composition Aand B, has a viscosity below 1500 mPa·s., preferably below 1000 mPa·s.and more preferably 750 mPa·s. and most preferably below 500 mPa·smeasured at 20° C. with a rotation viscosimeter, preferably with aBrookfiled viscosimetre with a suitable spindle and at a rotation speed.It should be noted that the compositions A and/or B may have prior tomixing different consistencies even going over the given ranges. Theabove given values are valid only for the mixture.

The following example is to illustrate the invention but not limit it.

EXAMPLE 1

% by weight Composition A Hydrogen peroxide 3.0 Citric acid 4.0Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Sodium hydroxide q.s. to pH 2.5 Water q.s. to100 Composition B p-touene diamine sulfate 2.0 Resorcinol 0.75 Sodiumcarbonate 5.0 Sodium lauryl sulphate 3.0 Decyl polyglucoside 2.0Polyquaternium-10 0.8 Fragrance 0.5 Monoethanolamine 2.0 Water q.s. to100 The Composition B had a pH of 9.5The above two compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1which resulted in a foamy composition having a satisfactory consistency.The pH was below 7.0 during the whole processing time on the hair. Itwas observed that the mixed composition did not become darker quickly.The hair coloured with the above composition had a well caredappearance, was easily combable, and had its natural elasticity, volumeand shine.

EXAMPLE 2

% by weight Composition A Hydrogen peroxide 3.0 Cetearyl alcohol 3.0Sodium laureth sulphate 2.0 Lactic acid 3.0 Phosphoric acid 1.0Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Sodium hydroxide q.s. to pH 3.0 Water q.s. to100 Composition B p-phenylediamine 1.0 Resorcinol 0.75 Sodiumbicarbonate 5.0 Cetearyl alcohol 8.0 Ceteareth-20 3.0 Sodium laurethsulphate 2.0 Polyquaternium-10 0.8 Monoethanolamine 2.0 Ammoniumhydroxide 1.0 Water q.s. to 100 The Composition B had a pH of 9.8

The above two compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1which resulted in a foamy composition having a satisfactory consistency.The pH was below 7.0 during the whole processing time on the hair. Itwas observed that the mixed composition did not become darker quickly.The hair coloured with the above composition had a well caredappearance, was easily combable, had its natural elasticity, volume andshine.

EXAMPLE 3

% by weight Composition A Hydrogen peroxide 3.0 Cetearyl alcohol 3.0Sodium laureth sulphate 2.0 Lactic acid 3.0 Phosphoric acid 1.0Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Sodium hydroxide q.s. to pH 3.0 Water q.s. to100 Composition B p-phenylenediamnie 0.01 resorcinol 0.02 Basic red 510.10 Basic yellow 87 0.05 Basic orange 31 0.05 Basic red 76 0.08 Sodiumbicarbonate 5.0 Cetearyl alcohol 8.0 Ceteareth-20 3.0 Sodium laurethsulphate 2.0 Polyquaternium-10 0.8 Fragrance 0.5 Monoethanolamine 1.5Ammonium hydroxide 1.0 Water q.s. to 100 The Composition B had a pH of10.0

The above two compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1which resulted in a foamy composition having a satisfactory consistency.The pH was below 7.0 during the whole processing time on the hair. Thecomposition gave hair excellent red touch and the hair coloured with theabove composition had a well cared appearance, was easily combable, hadits natural elasticity, volume and shine.

1. An aqueous composition for oxidative hair dyeing wherein thecomposition is resulting from mixing two aqueous compositions A and Bwherein the mixed composition has a pH below or equal to 7.0, whereincomposition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent and at least oneacidic compound and has a pH between 2 and 5 and composition B comprisesat least one oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one couplingagent, optionally at least one direct dye, at least one CO₂ releasingcompound and has a pH between 8 and
 11. 2. The composition according toclaim 1, wherein compositions A and/or B comprise one or more thickeningagents.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein composition Bcomprises at least one alkalizing agent selected from ammonia and acompound according to general formulaR₁R₂R₃N wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are same or different H, C₁-C₆ alkyl,C₁-C₆ monohydroxyalkyl or C₂-C₆ polyhydroxyalkyl with the condition thatat least one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is a mono or polyhydroxyalkyl.
 4. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein composition B comprises one ormore CO₂ releasing compound, selected from ammonium bicarbonate,ammonium carbonate, arginin carbonate, butylene carbonate, calciumcarbonate, guanidine carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate,lithium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodiumcarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate, at a concentration of 0.1 and 20% byweight calculated to total of composition B.
 5. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein composition A comprises at least oneacidic compound at a concentration of 1 to 25% by weight calculated tototal of composition A, selected form organic and inorganic acids ortheir mixtures, wherein organic ones are selected from citric acid,tartaric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid,isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, pivalic acid, oxalicacid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, glyceric acid, adipicacid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, propiolicacid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, elaidic acid, malic acid, maleicacid and fumaric acid.
 6. The composition according to claim 1, whereincomposition A and/or B comprises at least one surfactant selected fromnon-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, cationic, cationizable and quaternaryammonium surfactants, at a concentration between 0.1 and 20% by weightcalculated to total of composition A or B.
 7. The composition accordingto claim 1, wherein composition A and /or B comprises at least onenon-ionic and at least one anionic surfactants.
 8. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein composition A and/or B comprises at leastone fatty alcohol.
 9. The composition according to claim 1, whereincomposition A and/or B comprises at least one hair conditioning agent.10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein composition A and/or Bcomprises at least one compound selected from organic solvents, diamidecompounds, ceramides, ubichinones, organic solvents and UV filters. 11.The composition according to claim 1, wherein composition B comprisesoxidative dye precursor at a concentration of 0.0001 to 10% by weightcalculated to total of Composition B.
 12. The composition according toclaim 1, wherein the composition resulting from mixing two aqueouscompositions A and B has a viscosity above or equal to 100 mPa·smeasured at 20° C. with a Brookfiled viscosimeter.
 13. A method ofoxidative colouring hair wherein the composition according to claim 1 isapplied onto hair and processed for 1 to 45 min at a temperature in therange of 20 to 45° C. and rinsed off from hair and hair is optionallyshampooed and optionally dried with a hair drier.
 14. A kit foroxidative colouring hair comprising a—composition A that is acidic,having a pH between 2 and 5 and comprising at least one oxidizing agentand at least one acidic compound, and b—composition B comprises at leastone oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one coupling agent,optionally at least one direct dye, at least one CO₂ releasing compoundand has a pH between 8 and 11.